ECG CELEBRATES YEAR OF EXPANSION

Education Centre Gippsland (ECG) has delivered its Annual Report increasing turn over by more than $447,000 to $5,962 million during 2008. 

The not-for-profit adult education and training provider delivered an after-tax surplus of $62,485 and its Total Equity rose by 6.3% from $1,103.780 for the period ending December 31, 2008.

Addressing the Annual General Meeting, ECG Chief Executive Officer Bernadette said 2008 was a year of celebration and growth with a highlight being awarded the long-term contract to manage the McMillan campuses at Warragul and Leongatha.

ECG also established new training facilities in Traralgon for the first time, expanded its presence in Pakenham, and offered courses in Toora and Nyora in South Gippsland for the first time 

“A major focus has been to reach out beyond our campuses to ensure that people in local communities have access to training that they need and to ensure training meets the needs of employers.

“These efforts contributed to a 15% growth in students during 2008, with a record 262 people completing full credentials with ECG and a further 1,450 enrolling in modules. Growth occurred across all of our training sites including the Harness Training Centre at Warragul which ECG also manages.  80 people completed higher level Diploma courses which represents a four-fold increase over the last five years.”

Bernadette O’Connor said it was very positive period for ECG. Despite investment in new facilities and a global downturn, ECG and its subsidiary ECG LCP returned a combined surplus – for the 5th consecutive year.

“Another highlight was winning the prestigious Wurriker ACE Provider of the Year for our work in developing indigenous programs with the local Kurnai community in partnership with Baw Baw Shire.

“Strengthening industry partnerships continued to be a focus including partnering with Fairview to pilot the delivery of aged care training from Fairview premises in Warragul. This has enabled students to gain first-hand experience of an aged care facility throughout their course preparing them for work placement and employment.

“Industry partnerships also assisted the development of the first hair and beauty courses to be offered at ECG’s Warragul and Traralgon campuses. New horticulture and agriculture courses were also developed as a result of industry feedback and support.”

Mrs O’Connor said the retracting economy and increasing unemployment was likely to fuel demand for skills and training, with more people seeking to up skill in a shrinking jobs market or change careers.

“Previous recessions have also shown that young people are most likely to be affected with employment issues, and ECG will be working to increase training and skills opportunities to assist their transition into training and employment.

During 2008, ECG achieved significant milestones in delivering the Youth Pathways and Youth Connections programmes to help young people in West and South Gippsland. The Bendigo Community Bank in Drouin funded ECG to launch a new Youth Employment Program (YEP) to help school leavers link with local employers. Twenty-one young people utilised the program with a large number moving into employment.

ECG LCP (Local Community Partnership) programs continued in west and south Gippsland in partnership with the LLEN working with schools to help young people with career advice and to access workplace learning. ECG also played a lead role in the Regional Industry Careers Advisory (RICA) in partnership with I-Gain, ACES and East Gippsland Community Colleges.

During the meeting, ECG Board Chair Cheryl Glowrey paid tribute to retiring Board member Paul Mitchell thanking him for 13 years of voluntary service to ECG.

“Paul’s sense of humour, his professionalism, and knowledge of the education and training and employment services sectors has been an asset to the Board. He has made a valuable contribution to ECG and to furthering education and training in this region.”

Ms Glowrey also thanked all staff for their dedication and their input in identifying new ways to meet the needs of the community.

Guest speaker at the AGM was Brigadier Douglas Ball whose speech encompassed 6 stages of his life from his early childhood spent on a sheep farm, through his years with the Armed Forces, to his strong involvement with disability services as the Chief Executive of Asteria in central Victoria. His presentation highlighted the value of seizing opportunities as they arise.

For more information on ECG visit www.ecg.vic.edu.au or phone 03 5623 6075.

L-R : ECG CEO Bernadette O’Connor, Speaker Brigadier Douglas Ball and ECG Board Chair Cheryl Glowrey.

ECG CEO and Board Farewell Paul Mitchell.
L-R (Front) : ECG CEO Bernadette O’Connor, Board members Paul Mitchell and Jenny Carmichael.
L-R (Back) : Julia Ettery, Chair Cheryl Glowrey, Tim Modra, Des Williams, Graham Paynter and Peter Campbell.

Media inquiries:

Bernadette O’Connor 5622 6000

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